Real Match Stories:
Overcoming Red Flags
If you think your situation is difficult, chances are we've seen worse.
Mission Residency has helped applicants match with some of the most challenging profiles imaginable.
6
Failed Match Cycles Before Joining
Matched first cycle with Mission Residency
5
Step 2 CK Failures
And still matched into residency
55
Oldest Matched Applicant
Years old at time of match
23
Year Graduation Gap
Longest gap since graduation — still matched
78%
Students 5+ Years Since Graduation
783 out of 1,000 students
1,000+
Red Flag Applicants Guided
Across every imaginable challenge
Browse by Red Flag Type
Every category below includes real, verified match outcomes.
MATCHED
Psychiatry
9-Year Grad Gap + 5 Match Cycles
5 Cycles
Old Graduate
Previously Unmatched
"After 9 years since graduation and five match attempts in Psychiatry — I finally matched."
✓ Matched Psychiatry
MATCHED
Not Disclosed
5 Residency Application Cycles
5 Cycles
Previously Unmatched
"After 5 residency cycles — I finally matched in 2023."
✓ Matched 2023
MATCHED
Internal Medicine
Old IMG — Fifth Match Cycle
Dr. Sonia Jahan
SSM St Mary's Hospital — St. Louis, MO
5th Cycle
Old Graduate
"Fifth cycle applicant, old IMG — matched Internal Medicine at SSM St. Mary's Hospital."
✓ Matched IM — SSM St. Mary's
MATCHED
Family Medicine
YOG 2008 — 15-Year Gap
Dr. Yamini Arukala
Lincoln Family Medicine Residency — Lincoln, NE
15-Year Gap
Old Graduate
"Indian medical graduate with a 15-year gap since graduation, matched Family Medicine at Lincoln Medical."
✓ Matched FM — Lincoln Medical
360 Elite
MATCHED
Internal Medicine
YOG 2008 — 15-Year Gap
Dr. Abhinav Vasireddy
Berkshire Medical Center — Pittsfield, MA
15-Year Gap
Old Graduate
"Indian medical graduate with a 15-year gap, matched Internal Medicine at Berkshire Medical Center."
✓ Matched IM — Berkshire Medical
360 Elite
MATCHED
Not Disclosed
12-Year Gap + Previously Unmatched
12-Year Gap
2nd Attempt
3 Prior IVs Only
"As a second attempt applicant with a 12-year gap since graduation, I was losing hope. Dr. B's personalized approach transformed everything."
✓ Matched 2025
360 Elite
MATCHED
Internal Medicine
Bangladesh Grad — 8-Year Gap — Repeat Applicant
Dr. Shamsun Nahar
Augusta Health — Augusta, VA
Old Graduate
Repeat Applicant
"Bangladesh graduate, repeat applicant with 8-year gap — matched Internal Medicine."
✓ Matched IM — Augusta Health
IN PREP
Not Yet Matched (In Preparation)
YOG 2011 + Multiple USMLE Attempts + 2 Cycles Unmatched
Multiple USMLE Attempts
2 Cycles Unmatched
Old YOG 2011
Low Scores
"What is more painful/expensive than applying to 150 programs in two different application cycles and going unmatched? Having attended Dr. Brian Mark's classes has made me realize all the mistakes I made."
✓ In Active Preparation
IN PREP
Not Yet Matched (In Preparation)
Old IMG + Low Scores + Multiple Attempts
OLD IMG
LOW SCORES
Multiple Attempts
"Someone who is an OLD IMG graduate, LOW SCORE, RED FLAGS, and MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS... Dr. Brian gave us hope and consistent guidance on how we can overcome."
✓ In Active Preparation
MATCHED
Internal Medicine
Three Match Cycles — Success on Third
Dr. Wahida Rashid
Baptist Health-UAMS — North Little Rock, AR
3 Cycles
Previously Unmatched
"After I did not match in my first cycle... I did not match into my second cycle as well but gained friends who helped me all the way to my success in the third cycle."
✓ Matched IM — Baptist Health-UAMS
1ST CHOICE
Internal Medicine
Old IMG + Multiple USMLE Attempts
Dr. Ruth Gitau
University of Washington — Seattle, WA
Old IMG
Multiple USMLE Attempts
"Old IMG with multiple USMLE attempts — matched Internal Medicine at my first choice program."
✓ Matched 1st Choice — IM 2021
MATCHED
Anesthesiology
Previously Unmatched → Competitive Specialty
Dr. Renu Joy
NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital — Brooklyn, NY
Previously Unmatched
Competitive Specialty
"Previously unmatched — matched Anesthesiology at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital."
✓ Matched Anesthesiology — NYP Brooklyn
MATCHED
Child Neurology
Previously Unmatched → Competitive Subspecialty
Dr. Gunjanpreet Kaur
Saint Louis University — St. Louis, MO
Previously Unmatched
Competitive Specialty
"Previously unmatched — matched Child Neurology in 2020."
✓ Matched Child Neurology 2020
MATCHED
Neurology
Multiple Cycles — 9 Interviews, No Prior Match
Dr. Sara Habib
University of Oklahoma HSC — Oklahoma City, OK
Multiple Cycles
Previously Unmatched
"I have been through the match more than once. I had interviews, yet I could not match... In 5 days of IV prep, I knew I had only done 5% in my interviews last year."
✓ Matched Neurology — OU Health Sciences
MATCHED
Not Disclosed
Lower CK + Significant Gap + Older YOG
Lower CK Score
Significant Gap
Older YOG
"Despite having multiple red flags — lower CK score, a significant gap and an older YOG — I have been accepted into a program today, and this is thanks to Mission Residency."
✓ Matched
MATCHED x2
Family Medicine → Anesthesiology
Old Grad + Average Scores → Matched Twice
Dr. Sally Dawood
Drexel / Hahnemann (Anesthesiology) — Philadelphia, PA
Old Graduate
Average Scores
Late Application
"Although I applied late in the season, my LOR's were not super, old grade, average scores — I managed to match to a categorical program. The following match I got a PGY2 spot in Anesthesia."
✓ FM → PGY2 Anesthesiology
MATCHED
Internal Medicine
YOG 2005 + Gap in Clinical Practice
Dr. Kanwar Supreet Jolly
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center — Brooklyn, NY
Old Graduate 2005
Clinical Gap
Step 1: 219
Step 2 CK: 240
"Had old grad year and gap in clinical practice as red flags. 3 interviews total. Rating 10/10."
✓ Matched IM — Kingsbrook Jewish MC
IV Prep
MATCHED
Not Disclosed
YOG >10 Years + Below Average Step 2
Old Graduate >10yr
Below Average Step 2
"As an older graduate (YOG>10) with a below average Step 2 score... The program helped me convert my red flags into strengths."
✓ Matched 2025
IV Prep Complete
Verified Match Outcomes with Exact Scores
Real applicant data — every case below matched into residency through MissionMed.
| Red Flag | Specialty | Step 1 | Step 2 CK | YOG | Outcome | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPETITIVE SPECIALTY | ||||||
| Competitive | Anesthesiology | 213 | 243 | — | MATCHED | — |
| Competitive + Old Grad | PM&R | 213 | 220 | 2009 | MATCHED — 1st Choice | 360 Elite |
| Competitive | General Surgery | 223 | 223 | — | MATCHED | 360 Elite |
| OLD GRADUATE | ||||||
| Old Grad (24yr) | Psychiatry | 213 | 214 | 2002 | MATCHED | 360 Elite |
| Old Grad + 2x Step 3 | Internal Medicine | 219 | 220 | 2004 | MATCHED | 360 Elite |
| Old Grad | Pediatrics | 202 | 212 | 2012 | MATCHED | 360 Elite |
| LOW SCORES | ||||||
| Low Scores | Neurology | 212 | 217 | 2013 | MATCHED — 1st Choice | 360 Elite |
| Low Scores | Pediatrics | 213 | 222 | — | MATCHED — 1st Choice | 360 Elite |
| Low Scores | Psychiatry | 214 | 243 | — | PREMATCH Accepted | 360 Elite |
| Low Scores | Family Medicine | 191 | 227 | — | MATCHED | 360 Elite |
| ONLY 1 INTERVIEW | ||||||
| 1 Interview + Old Grad | Internal Medicine | 227 | 226 | 2014 | MATCHED | — |
| 1 Interview + Old Grad | Internal Medicine | 220 | 221 | 2011 | MATCHED | — |
| 3rd Attempt Step 1 | Psychiatry | 198 | 210 | — | Secured Open Slot | 360 Elite |
Fun Mission Residency Match Stats
Because sometimes the numbers tell the most surprising stories.
100%
Match Rate for Applicants Named "Tushar"
100%
Match Rate for Students Who Refused to Give Up
100%
Match Rate for Anesthesiology & Radiology Applicants
100%
Match Rate for Doctors From:
Latin America
Libya
Europe
China
Taiwan
Philippines
Read More Verified Reviews From Mission Residency Alumni
These match stories represent only a portion of the feedback we receive from students who have successfully matched through MissionMed.
View Reviews From Real StudentsYour Red Flags Don't Define Your Future
Low scores. Old graduation year. Multiple failed cycles. We've helped applicants with every red flag imaginable match into residency — and we can help you too.
Book Your Free Strategy Call